Wool is a natural protein fiber from sheep. It is warm, resilient, and naturally insulating even when damp, but it can felt and shrink with heat and agitation.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fiber | Natural protein (sheep) |
| Feel | Warm, springy, can be scratchy |
| Absorbency | High, insulates when damp |
| Durability | Resilient, resists wrinkles |
| Shrinkage | Felts with heat and agitation |
| Care | Hand wash cool or dry clean |
| Common uses | Coats, suiting, blankets |
Working with wool
Wool eases and presses into shape wonderfully, which tailors rely on. Heat plus moisture plus agitation causes felting, so wash gently and never tumble dry.
Avoid the felting trap. Hot water and a spinning machine will felt wool permanently. Hand wash cool, press flat, and dry clean structured garments.
See the Silk Fabric Properties and the Wool Yarn Guide.